{* Inline styles are used for the login buttons here because the use of #menu id selector supercedes use of selectors *}
{* here without the use of !important. Rather than fix #menu, just port pages to HTML5 templates. -- MM 2013-08-16 *} ?>

Sprint twitched a little when Cage rested her head on him. He tried to stay perfectly still so he didn't disturb her. She really trusted him enough to sleep right here in front of him. It made him happy. He stayed completely quiet as she slept, silently watching the cave entrance.

Sprint held her a little tighter. She was so little, so tiny in his grasp. She needed to be protected and comforted. No one had ever protected Sprint, or comforted, or even just taken pity on him. He had never been loved in any way. He knew it must be the same way for Cage.
He pressed his lips together, silently determining to be the one who protected Cage, and comforted her.

Sprint kept holding onto Cage, even after her breathing slowed and she stopped shaking. He kept his arm around her, holding her close, protecting her from her own memories and nightmares as best as he could.

Sprint hurried to scramble after her, following close behind her. As he walked, he kept his eyes out for the various beasts he knew were lurking in these wilds. He stayed tense, ready to either fight or flee to protect Cage.

Sprint heard the sound and instantly dove forward, grabbing Cage and yanking her back and standing in front of her as a dark purple snake slid out of the underbrush, right beside where Cage had been crouched. He backed away slowly, still standing in front of Cage, urging her to move back as well.

Sprint watched the snake nervously, moving back one slow step at a time. He pressed his lips together, carefully pressing back a tiny squeak of fear.
Any sound, and the snake would spring at them.
He silently hoped that Cage would be silent as well. He didn't dare open his mouth to tell her.

Sprint almost didn't dare to breathe as the snake slithered away, back into the underbrush. He still kept silent, just in case, but he turned around and started to move a little faster, grabbing ahold of Cage.